ESP villagers build school

By GABRIEL FITO
THREE remote villages on the East Coast of Wewak, East Sepik, have ta­ken the lead in establishing a primary school instead of waiting for the go­vernment to do it for them.
The villages of Samap, Dandan and Sirr had faced difficulties over the years in sending their children to school as steep cliffs that extend to the sea did not allow children to walk by the beach for some 10km to get to their nearest primary school during high tide.
“As a result, only a handful of children from this area have managed to reach high school while others, who could have done well, were denied their right to education by huge waves that pounds onto the sharp, rocky cliffs,” Turubu LLG president David Kausik said.
“Because these villages are situated on the foot of steep mountains, the only way to get out of these villages is by boat, canoe or walk on the beach during low tide.”
He commended his people for building a four-in-one double classroom that is nearing completion.
The villagers told Kausik during a brief visit to the village early last week that they needed about K4,000 for materials to complete the job before the 2013 academic year started.
They said the department of education had given them the blessings to start enrolling school age children next year and they were very excited.
Kausik said the people of Turubu had contributed immensely to the development of Wewak town but had always remained silent and not asked for anything in return.
He assured the villagers he would meet Wewak MP Jim Simatab to express their need for government contribution to complete the classroom.